Lake Hillier is a pink-coloured lake on Middle Island, the largest of the islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of Esperance.
From above the lake appears a solid bubble gum pink. The lake is about 600 meters long, and is surrounded by a rim of sand and dense woodland of paperbark and eucalyptus trees. A narrow strip of sand dunes covered by vegetation separates it from the blue Southern Ocean.
No-one fully knows why the lake is pink. Scientists speculate that the colour comes from a dye created by bacteria that lives in the salt crusts.
the lake water looks more transparent but still very, very pink. Even in a glass or a bucket, the water’s pink hue remains. If you ever make it to Middle Island, pack a swimsuit and go for a dip in Lake Hillier. The pink water isn’t toxic, and thanks to its extreme salinity, you’ll bob like a cork. A cork in a bottle of pink, pink wine.
